Children's Home run by Oakfields Children’s Care Limited in Tameside

Unique reference number SC069176 Inspector Ruth Loughridge Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Oakfields Children's Care Limited Registered person address Library Chambers 48 Union Street Hyde Cheshire SK14 1ND Responsible individual Ben Greenough Registered manager Lisa Joanne Greenough Date of last inspection 02/07/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 04/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The home continues to provide a stable environment that enables young people to make steady progress, and sometimes good, progress from their starting points. The home’s response to risk taking behaviour such as going missing, and concerns around child sexual exploitation (CSE), is robust. Strong working relationships with other agencies, including the police, the dedicated CSE team, placing authorities and families, ensures that actions match the assessed level of risk. As a result risks to young people are reduced and young people return more quickly when they have been missing from care. Although young people do not always like the boundaries that are in place, they do recognise that they are safer than before placement at this home.

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This inspection

One young person spoke about how they were helped to settle at the home. They commented, ‘They asked if I wanted posters in my room and made an arrangement for me to speak to my dad every night. If I am unhappy about anything then it mostly gets sorted unless it’s not agreed by my social worker and parents. We went to the beach for a day – this was good – I came just on time. I felt quite relaxed and welcomed.’ The social worker for a young person, who recently moved from the home, commented positively on the role of the home in the young person’s transition. They stated, ‘The home were the backbone of his move – they were very involved. They held meetings at the home – they pulled together other professionals for planning. This played a vital role in him moving on – they helped prepare him well for independence.’

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This inspection

Since the last inspection of the home, the Registered Manager has introduced an effective system to direct, and monitor, staff practice around key working sessions. Key working relates to current issues and includes sessions with young people to promote understanding of being safe, healthy, and the importance of education. 3 of 6 The Registered manager has made improvements to the home’s monitoring systems which increase staff accountability and allow early identification of any shortfalls in practice. However, monitoring reports do not meet current requirements of regulation 34. The independence of the regulation 33 visitor to the home has been enhanced as the visitor no longer has the dual role of providing supervision to the Registered Manager. Although risk assessments are conducted in relation to activities such as going on holiday, risk assessments in relation to activities are not routinely documented.

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This inspection

Two requirements, and three recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. This demonstrates the Registered Manager is committed to improving the service.

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This inspection

One recommendation and one requirement have been made as a result of this visit. These relate to ensuring risk assessments of activities are documented and ensuring the Registered Manager’s quarterly monitoring reports meet the requirements of regulation 34. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to four young people of either gender who may have behavioural and emotional difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/07/2014 Full good 26/03/2014 Interim satisfactory progress 05/12/2013 Full good 25/10/2012 Interim good progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person shall establish and maintain a system for monitoring the matters set out in Schedule 6 at least once in every 3 months. Regulation 34 (1) (a). 31/03/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that any activities in which children participate are, so far as reasonably practicable, free from avoidable risks. (Volume 5, statutory guidance paragraph (2.60). With specific reference to ensuring risk assessment of activities is documented. 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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